Ronald Boivin
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2021
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Visas and Mastercards work fine in Spain I think the problem is that they are prepaid Visas. I've heard that they don't work over seas.Sorry to hear of your difficulties.
I'm surprised that they don't work. Visa and MasterCard should work everywhere.
Visa or Mastercard are specifically targeted for international transactions.I think some of them are specifically targeted at international travel
They should but the four digit pin is not accepted here in SpaonSorry to hear of your difficulties.
I'm surprised that they don't work. Visa and MasterCard should work everywhere.
I loaded it with Canadian dollarsWhat currency have you loaded onto the cards.
I use a pre-paid Mastercard loaded with €. The only issue I have had with it was on a flight where there was no connection from the card terminal to the central Mastercard computer. So it might be currency or it might be the transactional links,
We are just back from Spain and Portugal where we used Apple Pay. Had credit cards but never used. Apple Pay was accepted by large and small businesses. Made travel very easy.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
I was there a couple of weeks ago and no problem with a 4-digit pin.Last time I was in Spain using that French debit card with a 4 digit pin, no problemo. I wonder when that all changed?
Don,I had a strange experience in Lisbon this morning at a Multibank ATM, along with few un-named other machines. I have a French debit card with BNP with a four digit pin. When I inserted my card they were asking for code that far exceeded 4 digits. There is no issue with my account because I was able to pay for lunch with a tap from my card, but the bummer is getting through the weekend with the 100 euros I have in my wallet after my last trip.
Loaded credit cards? Credit cards don't need to be loaded. They extend credit. Sounds like you used some kind of pre-pay debit card, which may work only in country where issued.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
Visa or Mastercard are specifically targeted for international transactions. I agree with @Rosalinda : perhaps they do not work because they are prepaid. Or perhaps they need a direct connection to the issuing bank and this connection does not work at the time.
Visas and Mastercards work fine in Spain I think the problem is that they are prepaid Visas. I've heard that they don't work over seas.
Credit cards? I never needed a pin to use a credit card. Oh, were you trying to get cash from your credit card? Sounds like you needed an ATM/debit card instead. They work easy to get out cash from your bank with a pin. We used a credit card to charge hotel and restaurant bills.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
Interesting. How do the exchange rates compared to debit cards. Both the rate to load card and the transaction rates. Are there any fees. Cheeky question. Why do you use one? Feel free not to answer!What currency have you loaded onto the cards.
I use a pre-paid Mastercard loaded with €. The only issue I have had with it was on a flight where there was no connection from the card terminal to the central Mastercard computer. So it might be currency or it might be the transactional links,
I loaded it with Canadian dollars
These are not prepaid. They are the cards and accounts I have used elsewhere in EuropeVisas and Mastercards work fine in Spain I think the problem is that they are prepaid Visas. I've heard that they don't work over seas.
NoSounds as if the reason it didn't work was that it appeared there was no currency (i.e. € 's) on it.
Some of these cards, especially the new virtual banks, will automatically switch the currency at a healthy charge for them. Do the cards you took have the facility to switch from one currency to another depending on where you are?
So why are you loading them with money?These are not prepaid. They are the cards and accounts I have used elsewhere in Europe
So sorry to hear about your difficulties. Here’s my 2 cents worth.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
Travel card rates are better? Have you checked versus your daughters Apple Pay activity? Who issued your travel card? What are the conversion rates?So sorry to hear about your difficulties. Here’s my 2 cents worth.
My Australian bank (ANZ) recommended I get a travel card as the rates are better and fees lower. I purchased a Mastercard Cash Passport card (online) and loaded with £ and € - I have been in UK and Europe. The card will convert from one currency to another if needed. You can reload with required currenciesany time but may take a day or two. I can see my balances and transactions on my phone.
The only thing I can’t do is use it online so am using my normal Visa card for online purchases. The system working well.
My daughter swears by Apple Pay of course.
European and Canadian credit cards have a chip that requires a PIN. I discovered that at a gas station in France years ago; fortunately the older system was still working inside the shop/kiosk. (Tap of course doesn’t need the PIN for lower value transactions.)Credit cards? I never needed a pin to use a credit card.
Surely your credit card works up to the limit of your card? I understand the psychological part of overplaying your credit card to ease next months bill but it’s not good use of money!! Your are lending them money for nothing!I think those Visa/Mastercards that are preloaded are more like gift cards. They allow anyone to use them, and once out of your hands, there is no protecting their value. They are like carrying cash. Whether they work overseas, I’ve no idea.
If you simply put extra money on your regular credit card, so that you aren’t faced with a big bill on return, then the card should work anywhere.
I travel with two debit cards from different banks. Sometimes one won’t work, simply because the ATM isn’t making a connection to my bank, but the other will work.
European and Canadian credit cards have a chip that requires a PIN. I discovered that at a gas station in France years ago; fortunately the older system was still working inside the shop/kiosk. (Tap of course doesn’t need the PIN for lower value transactions.)
Isn’t applepay just linked to your credit or debit card? Just a different means of fulfilment? Same rate etc?We are just back from Spain and Portugal where we used Apple Pay. Had credit cards but never used. Apple Pay was accepted by large and small businesses. Made travel very easy.
My Canadian Visa and Mastercards give a toll-free number for Customer Service in the US and Canada. They specifically give a Canadian number that you should use to call collect for Customer Service from other countries. Toll-free numbers work only from the designated countries.... phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard
I have never had to use a pin number to use my Canadian Visa and Mastercard credit cards in Spain. In fact, I don't think I have PIN numbers for my credit cards! I do use a PIN for my bank debit cards.They should but the four digit pin is not accepted here in Spaon
Sometimes I have paid in advance (i.e. loaded, to get a credit) so that I don't have to think about paying my monthly bill in time. However, the bank pointed out to me that pre-paying a credit card carries an additional risk. As I recall, it was something to do with the situation if the card is lost or stolen, then it could be harder to recover the pre-paid amount. Now I just arrange automatic payment of my cards.I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges
Don’t prepay credit cards. You are lending them money. Keep money in a savings account where you get interest!I think that these banking questions are very much specific to the country in which they are issued.
My Canadian Visa and Mastercards give a toll-free number for Customer Service in the US and Canada. They specifically give a Canadian number that you should use to call collect for Customer Service from other countries. Toll-free numbers work only from the designated countries.
I have never had to use a pin number to use my Canadian Visa and Mastercard credit cards in Spain. In fact, I don't think I have PIN numbers for my credit cards! I do use a PIN for my bank debit cards.
Sometimes I have paid in advance (i.e. loaded, to get a credit) so that I don't have to think about paying my monthly bill in time. However, the bank pointed out to me that pre-paying a credit card carries an additional risk. As I recall, it was something to do with the situation if the card is lost or stolen, then it could be harder to recover the pre-paid amount. Now I just arrange automatic payment of my cards.
That's my understanding for all these phone based services (ApplePay, GooglePay, etc). Only two of my current card providers support using these services, the other doesn't, or at least, not yet.Isn’t applepay just linked to your credit or debit card? Just a different means of fulfilment? Same rate etc?
Yes, I understand this. However, the convenience is sometimes worth the small cost.Don’t prepay credit cards. You are lending them money. Keep money in a savings account where you get interest!
Sure understood!Yes, I understand this. However, the convenience is sometimes worth the small cost.
Weird. I walked last year and had no problems with my RBC CC. And I used it a lot. I would suspect that the PIN you are using is incorrect. Also: toll free calls only apply within North America for our banks, they are not global. I've never considered "loading" a CC, I showed up in Spain with 2 CC each with a zero balance at the time, and paid off any balance weekly through the app.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
I am struggling that folks withdraw money using a credit card! Is that normal! I don’t have a credit card!I have been using Wise and Revolut in Spain and Portugal. Changed Australian dollars to Euros at .68 cents snd then withdrew 200€ from both cards with no ATM fees. I used up the balance of euros in supermarkets and cafes. I also use an HSBC card with a few hundred Aussie dollars on it. I use this to purchase groceries etc with no conversion fee. Basically at bank to bank currency conversion. I haven’t withdrawn money from ATM using HSBC because I don’t think I will need to. One has to remember when using a credit card to withdraw money from an ATM that yes there is no conversion fee but you are charged interest immediately.
Maybe not "normal" practice, but sometimes useful, say, if your bank card is not available or working. But as the poster pointed out...I am struggling that folks withdraw money using a credit card! Is that normal! I
One has to remember when using a credit card to withdraw money from an ATM that yes there is no conversion fee but you are charged interest immediately.
Thank you! From memory in UK it was 3% fee then apr depending on how quick you paid. . Not a disaster by any mean of course!Maybe not "normal" practice, but sometimes useful, say, if your bank card is not available or working. But as the poster pointed out...
, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges,
Correct me if I am wrong - but it sounds like you pre-loaded /pre-paid (debit) cards - not actual credit cards. Pre-paid cards can have issues. But regular mastercard and visa CREDIT cards work just fine. I have never had an issue with any of my normal bank debit cards or credit cards. I travelled in almost every European country without issues.Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
I SO understand.I had a strange experience in Lisbon this morning at a Multibank ATM, along with few un-named other machines. I have a French debit card with BNP with a four digit pin. When I inserted my card they were asking for code that far exceeded 4 digits. There is no issue with my account because I was able to pay for lunch with a tap from my card, but the bummer is getting through the weekend with the 100 euros I have in my wallet after my last trip.
I am struggling that folks withdraw money using a credit card! Is that normal! I don’t have a credit card!
We sell a version of these prepaid debit cards at work. The people who buy them for themselves either dont want/have a credit card, or they dont want to use their own credit card on a website.Interesting. How do the exchange rates compared to debit cards. Both the rate to load card and the transaction rates. Are there any fees. Cheeky question. Why do you use one? Feel free not to answer!
I think that is very much a personal view. You mightn't do it, others will. I know that I am happy to withdraw cash using a credit card. Where my card allows me to both use it as a debit and credit card, I will choose the debit option if it is presented. But there are times when it doesn't, and appears to be a normal credit transaction.No not normal.
Before my wife or I travel overseas, we inform card providers where we are travelling and when we will be away so that they don't trigger their fraud prevention systems or stop normal transactions while we are on the road. It's now a pretty standard part of our trip preparation.It might have been something about the cards needing to be 'activated' prior to leaving home. But they worked fine after that.
It's not clear to me what kind of card you are talking about. I cannot use my credit card as a debit card as it's not connected to a bank account from which I can withdraw funds. If I use a credit card at an ATM what I'm doing is taking a cash advance for which I am charged interest immediately, with no grace period like I have when I use the credit card to make purchases. I never pay interest on my credit card purchases because I pay the balance in full each month.I think that is very much a personal view. You mightn't do it, others will. I know that I am happy to withdraw cash using a credit card. Where my card allows me to both use it as a debit and credit card, I will choose the debit option if it is presented. But there are times when it doesn't, and appears to be a normal credit transaction.
How do you load credit cards with cash? I understand that you can put money on a prepaid debit debit card. Is revolut available as an app in Canada because that is really useful for foreign currency transactions.Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
I think this is the point..........there are so many variations of cards......and their uses......It's not clear to me what kind of card you are talking about. I cannot use my credit card as a debit card as it's not connected to a bank account from which I can withdraw funds. If I use a credit card at an ATM what I'm doing is taking a cash advance for which I am charged interest immediately, with no grace period like I have when I use the credit card to make purchases. I never pay interest on my credit card purchases because I pay the balance in full each month.
How do you load credit cards with cash? I understand that you can put money on a prepaid debit debit card. Is revolut available as an app in Canada because that is really useful for foreign currency transactions.
The one I use most often is a Visa card that is linked to my savings account. As you say, if I use it as a credit card to withdraw cash, interest charges start immediately. In Australia, I am normally given the option about whether I want to withdraw cash as credit, or from my savings account. When I am given that latter option, I will use it.It's not clear to me what kind of card you are talking about.
MM,Don,
Welcome back! Glad that you are now on this side of the pond. Can you keep on tapping during this weekend? MM.
Yes it amazing how robotic we are when using ATMs. In China I pretty much left my card in ATMs every time as the cash and the card out in the opposite order I was used too, and I walked off once I had taken the cash with the card still in the machine!A few years ago I visited India and all of my credit cards and my one and only debit card stopped working on the same day very early in my trip. Great consternation because I had only a little cash.
I called each card issuer in turn and they all made sounds to the effect that someone had been attempting to use my card in a series of automatic teller machines (well, it was me, but the card issuers did not know that), that person had been repeatedly entering an incorrect PIN, and after a few incorrect PIN entries the card was automatically suspended.
This made no sense because I knew my cards' PINs and had been successfully using them in Canada and other countries for many years.
My longtime use of the PINs was part of the problem: over time I had come to rely on muscle memory to key in the PINs, without actually looking at the keypad.
The other part of the problem was that in India, the layout of the PIN keypad in many automatic teller machines is inverted as compared to Canada. Oops.
I got all of the cards reactivated that day but it taught me to not assume that all PIN keypads have the same layout.
Sorry for your troubles, @Ronald Boivin. And just a word of clarification: I, and perhaps a few others, thought initially that you wrote that the PIN was not accepted because it had (only) 4 digits. I see now that I must have misunderstood, you simply said that your PIN, which happens to have 4 digits, was not accepted.4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted
I don't know if you can get it in Canada. I suggest you look at the Google play store or Apple, as appropriate. You can change currency on the fly or buy when the rate is good. Can be either Visa or Mastercard or one or more of each.How do you load credit cards with cash? I understand that you can put money on a prepaid debit debit card. Is revolut available as an app in Canada because that is really useful for foreign currency transactions.
But be careful. If you enter the wrong number 3 times the machine may keep your card!I doubt that the four digit pin entered into a machine expecting a six digit pin is still a problem but you could try entering your four digit pin with two leading or trailing zeros.
Some banks recommend this. Other banks no longer take this information. I am aware of at least 4 major banks in Canada who do not want to be notified. For example see this Royal Bank page.I called all my credit cards before I left to alert them that I would be in Spain.
We used prepaid cibc visa cards in Spain and Portugal in 2017 and aside from the extra fee the bank took when we did that, they worked with no issues. I did just get an email from CIBC that they were discontinuing the prepaid cards and we needed to use the balance up by a certain date.Visas and Mastercards work fine in Spain I think the problem is that they are prepaid Visas. I've heard that they don't work over seas.
I’m just back from a Camino and I used a visa prepaid card (CIBC-Air Canada Conversion Card) with no issues. The ATM I used with ABANCA. Have you tried more than just one bank’s ATMs?Visas and Mastercards work fine in Spain I think the problem is that they are prepaid Visas. I've heard that they don't work over seas.
Did you notify your bank/s that you were going to travel overseas?Prior to leaving Canada, I loaded 4 credit cards, Visa and MasterCard with $ to cover camino charges, I checked and double checked that the four digit codes for each worked. On getting to Spain none if the cards worked, the four digit pin not accepted. I didn’t 59€ I phone calls on supposed toll free numbers for both Visa Mastercard ( from appropriate banks) who confirmed my cards were valid and that the numbers were valid and working. They did NOT work. I had brought a lot of cash and that’s what I live on now. From my two bank cards Royal Bank and ScotiaBank I was able to withdraw cash.
Lesson: don’t count on your credit cards to work in Spain.
The vast majority go UK banks no longer want to be notified when a customer travels overseas.Some banks recommend this. Other banks no longer take this information. I am aware of at least 4 major banks in Canada who do not want to be notified. For example see this Royal Bank page.
However, the banking regulations and practices vary considerably from country to country, so people should confirm this with their own bank.
I doubt that the four digit pin entered into a machine expecting a six digit pin is still a problem but you could try entering your four digit pin with two leading or trailing zeros.
But be careful. If you enter the wrong number 3 times the machine may keep your card!
As a european living in Europe I have seen lots of terminals with five or six positions to enter a PIN. But they always accept a four digit PIN. If you add leading or trailing zeros to your PIN you make it an other number and it will not work.I doubt that the four digit pin entered into a machine expecting a six digit pin is still a problem but you could try entering your four digit pin with two leading or trailing zeros.
ATMs in China also demand a six-digit PIN.I had a strange experience in Lisbon this morning at a Multibank ATM, along with few un-named other machines. I have a French debit card with BNP with a four digit pin. When I inserted my card they were asking for code that far exceeded 4 digits. There is no issue with my account because I was able to pay for lunch with a tap from my card, but the bummer is getting through the weekend with the 100 euros I have in my wallet after my last trip.
My recommendation is a debit card from a bank that refunds all ATM fees. Mine is Schwab but there are others. And check the exchange rate! We always used to advise Americans to pay in Euro, but right now, a dollar is worth more than a euro and the trend is going up. Canadians might check their rates, too.Sounds like a prepaid card to me. Never used one and don’t see the point of using one versus a debit card. For the avoidance of doubt, credit and debit cards work fine in Spain and other European countries. Spain is seeing huge growth in cashless payment, with a 25% increase in Q2 this year. And there are 88 million cards in circulation.
I didn’t read through all the answers but I didn’t see this suggestion in those I did read: I called all my credit cards before I left to alert them that I would be in Spain. Many cards will refuse payment if they notice an unexpected change in location. Worth a try.
Interesting. Not been fur a few years and pretty sure it was 4 digits then as I have never had a 6 digit pin.ATMs in China also demand a six-digit PIN.
Can you clarify. I assumed that it is always best to pay in Euros (in countries that have the Euros), irrespective of the rate versus your own country as both are dynamic and just move in line with a pre programmed ‘mark up’ !My recommendation is a debit card from a bank that refunds all ATM fees. Mine is Schwab but there are others. And check the exchange rate! We always used to advise Americans to pay in Euro, but right now, a dollar is worth more than a euro and the trend is going up. Canadians might check their rates, too.
Yes, good advice. I do that with any overseas travel.
I find the banks are quite good at monitoring this.
I recently had a call from my bank asking if I was buying a $5,000 diamond ring in Manila!
No !!!
They said "it's OK, we declined the payment as it was outside your normal spending habits"
Then cancelled my card and sent me a new one.
Which of course is really inconvenient, particularly if you are on Camino!
My banks in UK no longer ask for this so am quite interested how this all works. They successfully caught someone who was buying an Apple computer on my tab while I was in central America a few years back.Yes, good advice. I do that with any overseas travel.
I find the banks are quite good at monitoring this.
I recently had a call from my bank asking if I was buying a $5,000 diamond ring in Manila!
No !!!
They said "it's OK, we declined the payment as it was outside your normal spending habits"
Then cancelled my card and sent me a new one.
Which of course is really inconvenient, particularly if you are on Camino!
four digit pin is not accepted here in Spain
Yes, the point is your bank will always (hopefully) give you a better exchange rate than the machine. Sometimes the machine will even tell you what you would pay in your own currency and you can actually compare the rates. My experience is you save about €3-4 per transaction (possibly more for larger withdrawals) by choosing to pay in local currency.Can you clarify. I assumed that it is always best to pay in Euros (in countries that have the Euros), irrespective of the rate versus your own country as both are dynamic and just move in line with a pre programmed ‘mark up’ !
Sorry I wasn’t clear. I understand all that. I thought the poster was suggesting that in the case of the consumers ‘home’ currency performing well i.e. USD vs GBP or EUR, this may change that truth but in my view it wouldn’t, well unless the USD devalued by about 10% at the moment you did transaction!Yes, the point is your bank will always (hopefully) give you a better exchange rate than the machine. Sometimes the machine will even tell you what you would pay in your own currency and you can actually compare the rates. My experience is you save about €3-4 per transaction (possibly more for larger withdrawals) by choosing to pay in local currency.
Yes, I was agreeing with you!Sorry I wasn’t clear. I understand all that. I thought the poster was suggesting that in the case of the consumers ‘home’ currency performing well i.e. USD vs GBP or EUR, this may change that truth but in my view it wouldn’t, well unless the USD devalued by about 10% at the moment you did transaction!
Ah sorry! Thank you!Yes, I was agreeing with you!
I understood the comment in the same way as you did and I, too, felt that it was another claim that was plain wrong or, at least, made no sense to me. Although I must admit that very recently, I did watch how the pound moved against the euro hour by hour and even minute by minute to see whether I had picked a good moment for a (minor) transfer from a € bank account to a £ bank account. But that was more out of curiosity than serious interest in currency movements. Things have calmed down since then.I thought the poster was suggesting that in the case of the consumers ‘home’ currency performing well i.e. USD vs GBP or EUR, this may change that truth but in my view it wouldn’t, well unless the USD devalued by about 10% at the moment you did transaction!
I have checked the rates and that why I got the Mastercard Cash Passport. I got it specifically for o/s travel. I can load it with many currencies. It’s not a gift card. It is like a debit card with a pin and strong security. I can lock it within seconds by logging into my account on my phone or calling Mastercard if it is lost or stolen. They can also help you access any money on your card if it is cancelled.I think those Visa/Mastercards that are preloaded are more like gift cards. They allow anyone to use them, and once out of your hands, there is no protecting their value. They are like carrying cash. Whether they work overseas, I’ve no idea.
If you simply put extra money on your regular credit card, so that you aren’t faced with a big bill on return, then the card should work anywhere.
I travel with two debit cards from different banks. Sometimes one won’t work, simply because the ATM isn’t making a connection to my bank, but the other will work.
European and Canadian credit cards have a chip that requires a PIN. I discovered that at a gas station in France years ago; fortunately the older system was still working inside the shop/kiosk. (Tap of course doesn’t need the PIN for lower value transactions.)
I don't need a PIN to tap my Canadian Visa and Mastercard credit cards. But when I insert them into a chip reader to pay for something, I am asked for a four-digit PIN here in Canada. And after a certain amount of transactions tapped, the bank has asked me to insert the card and input my PIN. I'm guessing that is to limit the amount of transactions that can be done with a lost or stolen card. I can imagine it might be the same in Spain.I have never had to use a pin number to use my Canadian Visa and Mastercard credit cards in Spain. In fact, I don't think I have PIN numbers for my credit cards! I do use a PIN for my bank debit cards.
In European Union, either you insert your card or you pay contactless:I don't need a PIN to tap my Canadian Visa and Mastercard credit cards. But when I insert them into a chip reader to pay for something, I am asked for a four-digit PIN here in Canada. And after a certain amount of transactions tapped, the bank has asked me to insert the card and input my PIN. I'm guessing that is to limit the amount of transactions that can be done with a lost or stolen card. I can imagine it might be the same in Spain.
Actually, for those of us (probably mostly in the US) who don't have a PIN for our credit cards, we must sign for the purchase, which can be a real pain for the merchant.In European Union, either you insert your card or you pay contactless:
- If you insert your card, you always must input your PIN (whatever the amount of the payment is).
From what I have experienced this year, that's typically from some form of material damage to the card itself, which can even just be as simple as it's dirty.I had a strange experience in Lisbon this morning at a Multibank ATM, along with few un-named other machines. I have a French debit card with BNP with a four digit pin. When I inserted my card they were asking for code that far exceeded 4 digits. There is no issue with my account because I was able to pay for lunch with a tap from my card, but the bummer is getting through the weekend with the 100 euros I have in my wallet after my last trip.
As front runners in many aspects of technology I’m frequently amazed by the analogue financial systems in the states. Could you not use apple pay, or the android version thereof, to effectively create a ‘contactless’ card via some device?Actually, for those of us (probably mostly in the US) who don't have a PIN for our credit cards, we must sign for the purchase, which can be a real pain for the merchant.
Using Visa-, Masters- and even my Amexco CC –which is not very popular– from Swiss issuers, they all have 6-digit pins and all worked on the CF last month, except in one hotel in Pamplona, where the receptionist insisted so vividly that I needed a 4-digit code, that I temporarily mixed-up my 6-digit one.; lost nerve and gave up before a final third attempt.Last time I was in Spain using that French debit card with a 4 digit pin, no problemo. I wonder when that all changed?
I have UK bank accounts and have used my 4-digit PINs in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan. And a number of other countries too. I have never been given anything other than a 4-digit PIN by any card issuer.Many write about 4-digit pins here, which would definitely not work in Switzerland, Germany, Austria Italy, Hing Kong and Japan, this I am very sure.
I have UK bank accounts and have used my 4-digit PINs in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan. And a number of other countries too. I have never been given anything other than a 4-digit PIN by any card issuer.
I have a UK card and my 4 digit pin works pretty much everywhere. North America, South America, Asia, Australia, Europe. Never even heard of a six digit pin to be honest though not doubting they exist.I have UK bank accounts and have used my 4-digit PINs in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan. And a number of other countries too. I have never been given anything other than a 4-digit PIN by any card issuer.
That’s just not true!!Using Visa-, Masters- and even my Amexco CC –which is not very popular– from Swiss issuers, they all have 6-digit pins and all worked on the CF last month, except in one hotel in Pamplona, where the receptionist insisted so vividly that I needed a 4-digit code, that I temporarily mixed-up my 6-digit one.; lost nerve and gave up before a final third attempt.
Many write about 4-digit pins here, which would definitely not work in Switzerland, Germany, Austria Italy, Hing Kong and Japan, this I am very sure. In the US, they used 4-digits pind for a long time, while in Europe it was considered unsafe, but as I did not travel to the US for a number of years now, last time I was they still used the old ratched.
There must be CC pro out there who can shed light into this mess!
Yup. I used my 4-digit pins in Italy earlier this year.I have UK bank accounts and have used my 4-digit PINs in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan. And a number of other countries too. I have never been given anything other than a 4-digit PIN by any card issuer.
In the last 7 days i have used my 4 digit pin in Italy, Germany, Singapore and Australia. I doubt if any UK customers even know a six digit pin even exists!Yup. I used my 4-digit pins in Italy earlier this year.
Don’t get me started on why Amex have a 4-digit CCV when everyone else (clearly I don’t mean ‘everyone’) uses 3.
Someone managed to make shipping containers to standard sizes, surely it’s within the wit of man to sort this out.
Now what was I doing ..
Must admit iActually, for those of us (probably mostly in the US) who don't have a PIN for our credit cards, we must sign for the purchase, which can be a real pain for the merchant.
Must admit I am shocked too given how tech advanced US is!As front runners in many aspects of technology I’m frequently amazed by the analogue financial syestems in the states. Could you not use apple pay, or the android version thereof, to effectively create a ‘contactless’ card via some device?
I’m something of a Luddite when it comes to what I consider to be unnecessary technology. I have a splendid library of actual books and the whole period between vinyl and vinyl passed me by; but using a card with a deliberately low credit limit - which is hard to maintain - I’m a convert to just passing my phone over the terminal with gay abandon.
I wouldn’t swap my rapidly deteriorating lucidity for your jet-lag.In the last 7 days i have used my 4 digit pin in Italy, Germany, Singapore and Australia. I doubt if any UK customers even know a six digit pin even exists!
Contactless can be used in many countries not just EU. Think most European Countries and beyond. Just used mine in Sydney! Yes after so many transactions a pin needs to be used as a one off for security (think mine may be 30 transactions. The limit was raised by some banks to £100 during Covid I think for hygiene but not sure latest info!In European Union, either you insert your card or you pay contactless:
- If you insert your card, you always must input your PIN (whatever the amount of the payment is).
- If you pay contactless, the authorization server can tell you to insert your card (if the maximum amount/number of transactions have been reached). But otherwise, for amounts below 50 €, you do not have to input your PIN.
Hanging in there! Never knew Sydney could be grey and wet!!!I wouldn’t swap my rapidly deteriorating lucidity for your jet-lag.
I’m not sure why I start typing in cod-shakespearian when I’ve had a few, but hey-nonny-nonny and as Pepys said; ‘and so to bed’.Hanging in there! Never knew Sydney could be grey and wet!!!
That’s just not true!!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?